Othman Garrido, a French national who joined the Islamic State (IS) in Syria, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison by a French court. The verdict, reported by French media, marks one of the most severe sentences handed down to a returning jihadist in France.
Garrido, originally from the southern French city of Lunel, traveled to Syria in 2014 to join IS. According to court documents, he quickly rose through the ranks and became a member of the group's notorious Amniyat (security service), which was responsible for internal policing, torture, and executions of suspected spies and deserters.
He was captured in 2019 by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and held in a detention camp in northeastern Syria before being transferred to French custody. His trial took place in Paris, where he faced charges including membership in a terrorist organization and complicity in crimes against humanity.
The court heard testimony from former detainees and survivors who described Garrido's role in the brutal repression within IS-controlled territories. The prosecution argued that he personally participated in acts of torture and was involved in the execution of at least one prisoner.
Garrido's defense claimed he was a low-level operative who was coerced into joining IS, but the court rejected these arguments, citing evidence of his voluntary enlistment and active participation in the group's atrocities. The 30-year sentence reflects the gravity of his crimes and sends a strong message that France will pursue and punish those who commit terrorist acts abroad.
